lawyers want AG to intervene in kidnap case against police officers
By Ruth Anderah.
Defence lawyers representing the 7 police officers charged with the kidnap of 3 Rwandese nationals have requested the Attorney General William Byaruhanga to intervene into the conduct of the proceedings against their clients before the General Court Martial.
This is after the 7 panel court chaired by Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti refused to honor orders contained in a ruling of High court Judge Margaret Oguli-Oumo that directed for the release of the police officers whose trial she declared as illegal and unlawful.
However despite receipt of this ruling, the Army court went ahead to even cancel the bail it had granted to the 3 junior officers and remanded the entire team of 7 officers to Makindye Military police barracks until today.
This has today prompted lead defense counsel Caleb Alaka to inform court that he is compelled to seek a meeting with the Attorney General, the court’s head Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti and the prosecution team led by Maj. Raphael Mugisha for a clear explanation and interpretation of the High court ruling.
In February this year, Justice Oguli ordered for the immediate release and discharge of these police officers on grounds that the Army court acted unreasonably to charge serving police officers with offenses of being in unlawful possession of firearms yet, they need guns in the execution of their duties.
The jailed police officers include ; the former commandant of the Special Operations Unit Nixon Agasirwe ,Joel Aguma , Benon Atwebembeirwe, Abel Tumukunde Fisal Katende , KwarisimaAmon and James Magada.
The Army court has today sent them back on remand until the May 8th 2018 after prosecution reported of incomplete inquiries.
